Peniel Pillows > About Us

As a wife, mother, and creative artist, I have had the privilege of developing Peniel Pillows to reflect the timeless truths that have been my compass for many years. The threads of my life are woven together to bring you products with distinction. Reading my story you will see how anything is possible.

The journey that led me to “Peniel” began in the making of a gift for a young friend's graduation. My novice sewing skills resulted in a pillow given with a heart full of love for one about to experience her first days of independence from her loving, guiding parents. My dream was to create pillows that would tell a story from the Bible, thereby becoming a source of encouragement. I couldn't even sew, but through that one simple gesture, the company now known as Peniel Pillows was born, and I learned something very important. This is not about “sewing”…it is about “Sowing”!

Today, I focus my energy on designing new products that reflect inspiration for living. My products have been featured in assorted magazines, tradeshows, and exclusive boutiques around the country, but my favorite showcase for every Peniel design is in the warmth of your home!

The mission of Peniel Pillows is to provide believers with a beautiful, non-threatening, way to share their faith with others. Each pillow design is the result of prayer and study, along with the fervent hope that people everywhere will begin to see the Bible for what it really is: the Living Word of God Himself. These pillows, each uniquely designed around a central scripture passage, open up avenues for sharing personal testimonies in ways that few things can. We continue to be blessed by the stories of individuals, families and friends whose lives have been changed because someone gave them one of our pillows, or because someone was able to use one of the scripture references in sharing their faith in a personal way with someone else.
Our pillows attract people, probably first and foremost, because they are made from the finest material and they are carefully inspected for quality workmanship. Yet it is the more significant spiritual dimension of these products that has eternal value. And that is what really matters. It is our goal to create, produce, market and sell fine, high quality, products that will grace and enhance the appearance of any home, office or institution. At the same time, and while people are certainly drawn to our pillows by their outward appearances, we want to provide believers with a means of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We believe Peniel Pillows will accomplish "its mission" as it assists believers in carrying out our Lord's "Great Commission."

God's revelation for the ministry that has become Peniel Pillows originated with a single act of giving. Rushan Smyth, a wife, homemaker and mother of two boys, decided one spring that she would make a unique gift for a friend's daughter who was graduating from school.
Knowing that the desired gift was an elegant, richly decorated, pillow, she set about the task of selecting fabric, fringe and other materials for the project. There was only one problem: she knew nothing about sewing! This is how she tells her story:

"I wanted my gift to be special. I wanted Laura Beth to always know that I had cared enough about her to create something unique and personal. And I wanted her to think about me - and the fact that I had to learn "how" to create her gift - each time she looked at her pillow."

"Then the Lord began speaking to my heart. While my gift to this young friend would be a precious reminder of me, how much better would it be if people could receive gifts that reminded them of the Father? If every time they looked at their pillow, they thought about God and His love for them? It was in that moment that I understood He had a plan and purpose for me and for what has become known as Peniel Pillows. In that moment I began to realize something important. This is not about 'sewing.' It's about 'sowing.'"

It was through that revelation that Peniel Pillows would come to be born. In the beginning, as friends and neighbors would express growing interest and want to know more, these unique, hand-sewn, pillows would be individually designed, crafted and delivered. One by one. Each pillow would be accompanied, as is still the case today, by a descriptive card noting the specially selected scripture passage and explaining the symbolism on which each pillow's design was based.
As interest has continued to grow, Peniel Pillows, Inc., has expanded both its product line and its markets. Today, Rushan serves as president of the company where she remains actively involved in design and new product development. The company is engaged in ongoing sales and marketing efforts throughout the Southeast and it has recently begun moving into new markets which are outside that area. Peniel Pillows makes regular appearances at the major merchandise marts.